Chili Peppers Now Pop Into Seed Catalogues

April 24, 1986|By Carol Haddix.

The warm weather last weekend was an encouraging sign. Could spring truly be here at last? The sight of daffodils and tulips, healthy despite the recent, unexpected snow, made me think of gardens; so back at my desk I rumaged through the paperwork and found that seed catalogue that had come in the mail.

If you are a gardener, even an armchair one, you might be interested in the catalogue, too. It comes from a California firm, Shepherd`s Garden Seeds, that specializes in European vegetable seeds.

The catalogue describes seeds from baby vegetables to salad greens such as arugula, mache and radicchio. Fine line illustrations and recipes make the catalogue more than just a way to order seeds. It`s a booklet to settle down with in an armchair, or to cook from.

New in the catalogue this season is a chili pepper collection of seeds that ranges from the mild poblano chilies to the fiery serranos. Next to the description is a recipe for ``Four-alarm cayenne pepper chicken.`` Time to get that spade out and the skillet heating.

Last year`s Diner Gastronomique, prepared for the French-American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago by visiting French chefs, was certainly a success. Yet in planning the 2d annual dinner, the chamber did not look to France for chefs but wisely turned to nine of the area`s best French chefs to produce the recent meal at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

The meal was definitely worth the $125-a-person price, part of which went to benefit the Statue of Liberty. Terrine of snails with leeks, lobster consomme, veal with wild mushrooms and a praline torte with mocha sauce were outstanding dishes that won ovations for Jean Banchet (of Le Francais), Fernand Gutierrez (the Ritz-Carlton), Jean Joho (consultant, formerly of Maxim`s de Paris), Gabino Sotelino (Ambria), Guy Petit (Cricket`s), Charles Tual (the Chicago Club), Roland Liccioni (Carlos`), Bernard Cretier (Le Vichyssois) and Pierre Pollin (Le Titi de Paris).

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Chuck Williams, founder and chairman of the board of Williams-Sonoma, will be at the cookware store, 17 E. Chestnut St., between 1 and 2 p.m. May 2 to sign his recent book, ``The Williams-Sonoma Cookbook and Guide to Kitchenware`` ($19.95; Random House).

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Those who enjoy Jay Pridmore`s article about beer expert Michael Jackson in this issue of the Food Guide and have taken a serious interest in beer might like to check out a new magazine, Amateur Brewer. Articles range from beer drinking customs to how beer is brewed and sold. The publisher is Bill Owens, who owns what he calls a ``brewpub,`` Buffalo Bill`s Brewery, in Hayward, Calif. A subscription is $13.50; a sample copy is $1. The address:

Amateur Brewer, Box 713, Hayward, Calif. 94543.

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Chef`s Catalog The Store, Highland Park, will feature many of the stars of the ``Great Chefs of Chicago`` television series in free demonstrations:

Friday, Carolyn Buster, of the Cottage; May 2, Thierry Lefeuvre, of Froggy`s; May 6, Roland Liccioni, of Carlos`; and May 9, Pierre Pollin, of Le Titi de Paris. No reservations are accepted. Seating is limited.

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Watching your weight? ``Kathy`s Kitchen V,`` a new series on WYCC-TV-Ch. 20, will share tips on how to lose weight by following a natural diet. This is the 5th year for Kathy Hoshijo`s series on PBS stations. The half-hour show will be broadcast at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 4:30 p.m. Sundays beginning next Tuesday.

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Spring classes at Latin School`s Live & Learn program include several cooking classes. Chef Jennifer Newberry, of Amerique restaurant, will teach stock-making basics at 6:30 p.m. April 27 and May 4; Mike Ireland, of Allspice Inc., will teach cooking with herbs and spices at 7 p.m. April 29 and May 6;

and Martha Locicero, a 10-year resident of New Orleans, will show the tricks to Cajun cooking at 6:30 p.m. April 28. For more information and registration call 664-8760.

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A recent article about fish oil and health in the Food Guide reviewed the work of biochemist William Lands. For those who would like more information, Lands` book on the subject, ``Fish and Human Health`` (Academic Press, $24.95), details the role that fish oil plays in heart health and in the prevention of other diseases. To order a prepaid copy, call 800-321-5068